Melbourne Christmas, 25 Dec 2012

Melbournians really get into the Christmas spirit. The city is quite festive. Many of the city squares are decorated, buildings are lit up at night. It's been helpful for reminding me that it's Christmas - since the weather doesn't feel Christmas-y in the least. Here's a few sites from around the city.

During the day, city hall is wrapped like a Christmas present

At night, a light show that makes the city hall look like a present, and a variety of other things. The sidewalk across the street from this building was packed with people watching the pictures change.

This is the corner where the main shopping district starts - like Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.
They've strung bells above the street the whole way down.

Flinders Street Train Station, celebrating in the heart of downtown Melbourne.
Elizabeth Street runs downhill into Flinders with cars and three tram lines. You can see the station from several blocks away. It makes me happy, even when it's not decorated for the holdiay.

This bridge is not too far from the Grand Hotel. It is the biggest mistletoe of all time.
So far I haven't seen anyone kissing under it...

This is in the same city square where the kids come to see Santa.
I didn't even notice it when I went by earlier in the day, but at night it's quite lovely.

It's the whole story of the birth of Jesus adapted from Matthew and Luke.

A blessed Christmas to all!